Catheter Culture Build info

Synonyms

  • CULTURE - CATHETER
  • CATHETER TIP
  • LAB11797

Short Name

CULTURE - CATHETER

Procedure Master Number

LAB11797

Procedure ID

115843

Clinical Info

Insertion of a catheter into a blood vessel compromises the skin’s ability to exclude organisms that colonize the surface of the skin. Devices such as heparin locks, hemodialysis shunts, TPN catheters, and arterial catheter lines expose patients to increased risk of infections. If catheter associated septicemia is suspected, it is important to document organism recovery from both blood culture and catheter tips. A semi-quantitative culture technique for catheter tips may aid the diagnosis of catheter related bacteremia.

Specimen Type

.Catheter

Container

Sterile container

Collection Instructions

1.Cleanse the skin around the site with 70% alcohol. 2. Remove catheter.
3. Aseptically clip off 3 cm to 5 cm of distal end of catheter.
4. Place catheter tip into a screw-capped, sterile container.
5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
6. Transport to Northwell Health Laboratories –Little Neck Parkway refrigerated
7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Transport Instructions

Transport to Northwell Health Laboratories –Little Neck Parkway-refrigerated.

Specimen Stability

48 hours, refrigerated.

Methodology

Bacterial Culture

Days Performed

Monday through Saturday

Performing Laboratory

Northwell Health Laboratories

CPT

87070

PDM

6201306

Results